ON-DEMAND AND REVERSIBLE DRUG RELEASE BY EXTERNAL CUE - The invention provides a method to release drugs from a polymer matrix upon demand without degrading the matrix. By applying ultrasound to a self-healable polymer matrix in physiological environment, compounds of both low-molecular and high-molecular weights encapsulated in the matrix are delivered at controlled rates, while the integrity and stiffness of the matrix are unaffected.

02-09-2012

20120100182

Continuous Cell Programming Devices - The present invention comprises compositions, methods and devices for creating an infection-mimicking environment within a polymer scaffold to stimulate antigen-specific dendritic cell activation. Devices of the present invention are used to provide protective immunity to subjects against infection and cancer.

04-26-2012

20120121539

Programming Of Cells for Tolerogenic Therapies - Biomaterial systems, e.g., gel scaffolds, are used in vivo to recruit immune cells and promote their activation towards a non-inflammatory phenotype, thereby leading suppression of inflammation. The compositions and methods are useful to reduce the severity of autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, allergy, and periodontal disease.

05-17-2012

20120122218

Harnessing Cell Dynamics to Engineer Materials - The invention features synthetic materials and methods for inducing cell behavior. Matrix materials induce cell differentiation and cell manipulation based on mechanical and physical characteristics of the materials rather than chemical characteristics.

05-17-2012

20120134967

Scaffolds For Cell Transplantation - A device that includes a scaffold composition and a bioactive composition with the bioactive composition being incorporated into or coated onto the scaffold composition such that the scaffold composition and/or a bioactive composition controls egress of a resident cell or progeny thereof. The devices mediate active recruitment, modification, and release of host cells from the material.

05-31-2012

20130017229

ACTIVE SCAFFOLDS FOR ON-DEMAND DRUG AND CELL DELIVERY - The invention provides a composition whose porosity, pore size, pore connectivity, swelling agent concentration, and/or specific volume undergoes a change from a first value to a second value in response to an electromagnetic signal, the composition having a matrix material in which is distributed a magnetic material.

01-17-2013

20130177536

Enhancement Of Skeletal Muscle Stem Cell Engraftment By Dual Delivery Of VEGF And IGF-1 - An improved device and method for extended repair and regeneration of muscle tissue. An exemplary device comprises (a) a scaffold comprising an ECM component; (b) a combination of growth factors such as VEGF and IGF; and (c) a population of myogenic cells. Implantation of the device leads to muscle regeneration and repair over an extended period of time.

07-11-2013

20130195764

Nanoparticle Targeting to Ischemia for Imaging and Therapy - The invention provides compositions and methods that provide a solution to the difficulties in diagnosing ischemia, e.g., identifying specific affected anatomical areas, and treating ischemic tissue so as to minimize damage and promote healing of damaged tissue in a subject such as a human or other animal.

Materials Presenting Notch Signaling Molecules To Control Cell Behavior - The invention provides a solution to the problem of delivering molecules in a physiologically relevant manner to direct cell fate. For example, a Notch ligand molecule is presented in a microenvironment that mimics the environment encountered in vivo. Accordingly, the invention features a cell delivery vehicle comprising a biocompatible hydrogel or polymer and a composition that binds to a Notch receptor and methods of directing cell fate, e.g., stem cell differentiation, using such compositions.

12-12-2013

20140079752

Injectable, Pore-Forming Hydrogels for Materials-Based Cell Therapies - The invention provides compositions and methods to form pores in situ within hydrogels following hydrogel injection. Pores formed in situ via degradation of sacrificial porogens within the surrounding hydrogel facilitate recruitment or release of cells. Disclosed herein is a material that is not initially porous, but which becomes macroporous over time.

PROGRAMMING OF CELLS FOR TOLEROGENIC THERAPIES - Biomaterial systems, e.g., gel scaffolds, are used in vivo to recruit immune cells and promote their activation towards a non-inflammatory phenotype, thereby leading suppression of inflammation. The compositions and methods are useful to reduce the severity of autoimmunity, chronic inflammation, allergy, and periodontal disease.

08-21-2014

20150024026

Scaffolds For Cell Transplantation - A device that includes a scaffold composition and a bioactive composition with the bioactive composition being incorporated into or coated onto the scaffold composition such that the scaffold composition and/or a bioactive composition controls egress of a resident cell or progeny thereof. The devices mediate active recruitment, modification, and release of host cells from the material.

01-22-2015

20150038613

Interpenetrating Networks With Covalent and Ionic Crosslinks - The invention features a composition comprising a self-healing interpenetrating network hydrogel comprising a first network and a second network. The first network comprises covalent crosslinks and the second network comprises ionic or physical crosslinks. For example, the first network comprises a polyacrylamide polymer and second network comprises an alginate polymer.

02-05-2015

20150065685

LASER-ACTUATED THERAPEUTIC NANOPARTICLES - The invention provides compositions and methods for laser actuated drug delivery. Compositions comprise serum albumin based particles conjugated with therapeutic agents which cab become bioavailable upon actuation of the particles by light, e.g. low power laser.

03-05-2015

20150072009

Mesoporous Silica Compositions for Modulating Immune Responses - A composition comprising mesoporous silica rods comprising an immune cell recruitment compound and an immune cell activation compound, and optionally comprising an antigen such as a tumor lysate. The composition is used to elicit an immune response to a vaccine antigen.